the state where sandy came ashore was hardest hit. after his tour, he pledged federal support for the long haul. president barack obama joined new jersey state governor chris christie to get a firsthand look at what sandy left behind. >> we are here for you. and we will not forget. we will follow up to make sure that you get all the help that you need until you rebuild. >> reporter: a long-time supporter of republican presidential nominee mitt romney, christy is today praising the president's handling of sandy. >> he has worked incredibly closely with me since before the storm hit. i think this is our sixth conversation since the weekend. and it's been a great working relationship to make sure that we're doing the jobs that people elected us to do. >> reporter: the loss estimated to be in the billions. in seaside heights on the jersey shore, the boardwalk has been ripped apart. the amusement park there before and after the storm. the roller coaster now in the atlantic ocean. further inland, evacuations continue. >> water is rushing in